1999 By Design

There are those enthusiasts who see the Boxster as a chance to recapture the spirit of the other mid-engine, road-going Porsche, the Spartan 914. When they think about how to make it better, they think about taking things out of it, reducing weight and simplifying it, distilling it to the essence of sports car. Fortunately, they aren't everybody. Others prefer to add to the Boxster. Instead of less is more, these enthusiasts say that more is more. More power, more brakes, more suspension, more tire, more luxury and more gadgets. More sparkle. It's easy to tell to which philosophy By Design adheres. This 1999 Boxster has more of everything, to the last detail.

More power and a lot more pleasant sound comes from freer-flowing intake and exhaust. A BMC air-filter system comprises the intake, while the exhaust is made up of By Design headers (prototypes of a system that should be available soon), high-flowing 800-cells-per-sq-in. cats, and a Mille Miglia silencer. By Design also reprogrammed the ECU to take advantage of the other changes. Boxster S brakes were installed, after powdercoating the calipers yellow, along with braided stainless-steel lines and Brembo race pads.

Handling was improved, and significant lowering achieved, with the installation of H&R's Stage 3 Race Springs and Bilstein Sport dampers. Rolling stock consists of chromed HRE 547 wheels with yellow powdercoated assembly bolts, with Yokohama AVS Sport tires. In front, 8.5x19-in. wheels are wrapped with 245/35-19 rubber, while 11x19-in. HREs and 275/30-19 tires lay down the stripes.

Bodywork is simple, not too understated for the rest of the car but not too flamboyant either. The rear bumperettes were removed, replaced by TechArt front splitter, rockers and rear wing. The whole car was resprayed and By Design's exclusive chrome Porsche crest was added to the hood. The final touch was an update to Porsche's newer Litronic headlights.

The most serious portion of this Boxster's makeover was on the interior. The seats, door panels, dash and center console were recovered in Metropolitan Blue leather with yellow baseball stitching. By Design installed its own aluminum-trim package along with TechArt gauge faces and a factory sport steering wheel. As if it's not good enough for the Boxster to be its own mobile entertainment center straight from the factory, By Design made this car double as a stationary entertainment center as well, with more electronic toys than a Circuit City clearance sale. A Sony Playstation, VCR and Alpine CVA 1005 head unit/DVD player ensure that passengers will stay focused on things inside the car even after the Ritalin(r) wears off.

If you're the more-is-more kind of Porsche enthusiast, you may want to give By Design a call.